Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

Overview

The Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity is a 12-credit undergraduate-level certificate designed to provide fundamental knowledge of information security concepts, cryptography, information and network security and computer systems security, as well as real-world practice with hand-on experiences in cyber defense. The purpose of this undergraduate certificate is to offer a credential that covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of cybersecurity to students who are currently pursuing baccalaureate work in KU EECS department.

Program-Level Learning Outcomes

The program enables students to achieve:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge of security.
  2. An ability to analyze a problem and identify the security requirements appropriate to its solution.
  3. An ability to design, implement and evaluate the security of a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
  4. An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of secure software systems.
  5. An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools for security practices.
  6. An understanding of security, ethical, and social issues and responsibilities.
  7. An ability to communicate security requirements and controls effectively with a range of audiences.

Admissions

The entrance requirements for students entering the undergraduate certificate of cybersecurity program include: 

  • Upper-level eligibility in KU EECS AND
  • Overall GPA of 2.8 or better AND
  • Three letters of reference.

Certificate Requirements

Note: The proposed Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity requires the completion of three core courses and one elective course at a total of 12 credit hours.

Prerequisite/ Corequisite

EECS 140: Introduction to Digital Logic Design

EECS 168: Programming I

EECS 268: Programming II

EECS 388: Embedded Systems

EECS 448: Software Engineering I

EECS 678: Introduction to Operating Systems

MATH 526 Applied Mathematical Statistics I or EECS 461 Probability and Statistics

Core Courses/Theory (2 courses, 6 credit hours required)

EECS 563: Introduction to Communication Networks (3 credits)

EECS 565: Introduction to Information and Computer Security (3 credits)

Core Courses/Practice (1 course, 3 credit hours required)

EECS 465: Cyber Defense (3 credits)

Elective Courses (1 course, 3 credit hours required)

EECS 569 Digital Forensics: (3 credits)

EECS 665 Compiler Construction (4 credits)

EECS 700: Mobile Security (3 credits)

EECS 711 Security Management and Audit (3 credits)

EECS 738: Machine Learning (3 credits)

EECS 742: Static Analysis (3 credits)

EECS 755: Software Modeling and Analysis (3 credits)

EECS 765: Introduction to Cryptography & Computer Security (3 credits)

The completion requirements of the cybersecurity certificate include:

  • Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in all certificate courses AND
  • The minimum grade for any course to be applied toward the certificate is a grade of C

Note: For students who have been enrolled in the BSEE/CoE/CS/IC programs, all the credits obtained in the certification program will count toward the degree. For students who have enrolled in the BSEE/CoE/IC programs, all the credits obtained before applying to the certificate will count toward the certificate.